Key takeaways

• Patients can travel after Inspire® implant surgery once they have recovered and their doctor confirms they’re ready.

• A little planning can make traveling with Inspire® therapy easier. Bring your Inspire™ remote, and patient identification card.

• Airport security is safe with an Inspire implant. Let security staff know you have an implant and allow extra time for screening if needed.

• Inspire therapy can simplify travel by eliminating the need to pack CPAP masks, tubing, and bulky equipment.

• Following your doctor’s guidance and keeping your implant information accessible can help you travel with confidence.

Getting back to the activities you love is an important part of recovery after Inspire® implant surgery. For many patients, that includes traveling. In most cases, you can start traveling once you’ve recovered from surgery and your doctor confirms you’re ready. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, visiting loved ones or taking a long-awaited vacation, traveling with Inspire® therapy can be a simple part of your routine.

Because Inspire therapy includes an implanted device, it’s helpful to carry your patient identification card and understand what to expect at airport security. In this guide, we will cover:

• When you can travel after Inspire implant surgery

• Flying with an Inspire implant

• Airport security and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening

• Road trips and long-distance travel

• International travel tips

What is the Inspire Implant? A Quick Overview

Inspire® therapy is a proven, safe solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who are unable to benefit from continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). It is a mask-free¹ therapy designed to help keep the airway open during sleep.

The Inspire implant works comfortably² inside your body to help treat OSA by keeping your airway open during sleep. For people with OSA, the tongue can relax and fall backward during sleep, blocking the airway and making it harder to breathe.

The Inspire implant is a small device placed under the skin near the collarbone during a short outpatient procedure. While you sleep, it senses your breathing patterns and delivers gentle pulses that move your tongue forward to help keep your airway open. This can help you breathe regularly and sleep soundly.

You control your therapy using a small handheld Inspire® remote. Simply turn your therapy on when you’re ready to sleep and off when you wake up.

Because Inspire therapy is already inside your body, traveling can be more convenient. You don’t need to pack bulky equipment or clean a mask and tubing. Just bring your Inspire™ remote, patient identification card and any other items recommended by your doctor.

Before Inspire Implant Surgery: Keep Your Sleep Apnea Treatment on Track

If you’re planning travel before your Inspire implant surgery, talk with your doctor about any recommendations based on your health and treatment plan. For example, if you’re still using CPAP, it’s important to continue using it as directed until your doctor tells you otherwise.

Staying consistent with your sleep apnea treatment can help you get the rest you need and feel your best while traveling. While it may be tempting to leave your CPAP behind while traveling, even a short break from treatment can leave you feeling tired, less focused, and not at your best during your trip.

When Can You Travel After Getting an Inspire Implant?

When you can travel after Inspire implant surgery depends on your recovery. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and ask when you’re ready to make travel plans.

Many people can return to light activities a few days after surgery, but recovery looks different for everyone. During the first few weeks, your doctor may recommend avoiding heavy lifting, exercise or activities that could put stress on the area where the implant was placed.

A follow-up visit is usually scheduled about a month after your implant procedure. During this visit, your provider will turn on your Inspire therapy, review how to use your Inspire remote and explain what to expect as you begin treatment.

Your care team can help you decide when you’re ready to travel after implant surgery and which activities to avoid while you heal.

Travel Tips for Inspire Patients

Once your doctor says you’re ready to travel, you can begin planning your trip.

Air Travel Tips After Inspire Implant Surgery: TSA and Airport Security

Knowing what to expect at airport security can help you feel prepared when traveling with Inspire therapy. You can go through airport security systems, including metal detectors and full-body scanners, with your Inspire implant.

Because the Inspire implant contains metal components, it may set off a metal detector or require additional screening. This doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your implant.

Let security staff know you have an implanted medical device, and they can guide you through the screening process. Keep your Inspire implant patient identification card easy to access, such as in your wallet or travel documents, and carry it with you whenever you travel.

If you are traveling to a country where you don’t speak the language, consider bringing a translated note that explains you have a medical implant. A printed copy can be helpful during screening when you may need to put your phone away.

Your Inspire remote can also go through airport security. Many people keep it in their carry-on bag so it’s easy to access during their trip.

If you have questions about TSA screening or traveling with your Inspire implant device, talk with your doctor before your trip.

Road Trips and Ground Travel

Just like air travel, many people find traveling by car, train or other forms of ground transportation convenient while using Inspire therapy. It’s still a good idea to carry your patient identification card and keep your Inspire remote in an easy-to-access location.

Talk with your doctor for any advice specific to your travel plans, treatment and health history.

Consider Travel Insurance

If you buy travel insurance, check whether it covers pre-existing health conditions. Answer any health questions honestly so you know what your plan covers.

Checklist for Traveling with Inspire Therapy

Before you travel:

• Ask your Inspire therapy doctor when you can travel

• Carry your patient identification card

• Keep your Inspire remote with you

• Bring contact information for your Inspire therapy doctor

• Pack any medical documents recommended by your doctor

• Let airport security know about your implant if needed

Keep important medical items easy to access, such as in your carry-on or personal bag, so they’re available during your trip.

After Inspire implant surgery, you can continue enjoying the activities and experiences that are important to you, including travel. With a little planning and support from your healthcare team, you can feel prepared and confident wherever your plans take you.

Not an Inspire therapy patient yet? Learn more about Inspire therapy and see if it may be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the Inspire implant set off airport metal detectors?
   It’s possible. Because the Inspire implant has metal components, it may trigger a metal detector or mean you need additional screening. This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your screening or implant. Simply let airport security staff know you have an implanted device and they can help guide you through the screening process.

2. How long after Inspire implant surgery can I fly?
   The timing depends on how you’re healing. Many people can return to light activities within a few days after surgery, but recovery times can vary. Follow the guidance you’re your doctor. Once you’ve recovered and your doctor confirms you’re ready, you can begin making travel plans.

3. Do I need to bring anything special when I travel with Inspire therapy?
   Before you travel, remember to bring your Inspire implant patient identification card and keep your Inspire remote with you. It’s also a good idea to keep important medical information and any items recommended by your doctor easy to access.

4. Is the Inspire implant safe going through airport body scanners?
   Yes. You can go through airport security systems, including full-body scanners, with your Inspire implant. Let security staff know you have an implanted device if needed, and they can guide you through the screening process.